This all solid mahogany soprano ukulele from Kala is very nice indeed. The KA-SMHS was a suprisingly late addition to our catalogue of ukuleles - more by oversight than design. But the first impressions were that we'd missed on something really rather nice. The solid tonewood really breathes through in this uke, with a very rich and full depth to the tone, resonant and interesting. There is a particularly strong showing for the bass end from this soprano, perhaps enriched by the Nubone XB nut and saddle. XB stands for 'Extended Bass', and there is certainly an extended bass response from this KA-SMHS.

The Kala KA-SMHS is nicely put together and finished, with tortoise-shell style binding and black and white purlfing and soundhole rosette. There is a nice tie-bridge with small wedges of maple in the rosewood - which probably do absolutely nothing apart from add a tiny decorative touch. But still, it is nice details like that that elevate this all solid mahogany ukulele above many of its counterparts and competitors.

Fitted to the Kala KA-SMHS soprano ukulele are very good quality friction pegs. This, coupled with the nicely cut top (not too thick), really aids the balance of the ukulele. Having tried out and reviewed many, many models we had perhaps become desensitised to the fact that the lightness of the friction pegs improves balance - when you try so many shapes and sizes you find you can comfortably play anything. That said... there was a genuine surprise with just how light and comfortable this was the moment we picked it up.